Vetting Is For Wimps

So far the Republican National Convention has gone according to script.

Unfortunately the script was written by John Waters. Stephen King threw in a few choice lines. And no, it's not a "chick flick," as MoDo frames it. It's a sitcom all the way -- heavily influenced by "Married...With Children." Those madcap Bundys! (The humor's a little coarse, but no problem, it's on Fox.).

The Sarah Palin saga may be appalling for some viewers, and deeply disturbing, but I find it inspiring. Once again we see why America is a great country. You can be anyone, from anywhere, with any level of professional qualifications, including none at all, and still grow up to be a vice-presidential nominee.

You can go from beauty queen to sports anchorwoman to snowmobile saleswoman to mayor of a town so small that the town hall looks, according to Carville, like a "south Louisiana bait shop" -- and still, in just a couple of years, with a twist of fate here and there, wind up first in line to be the Leader of the Free World.

You can engage in small-town politics, like trying to get your brother-in-law fired and then firing the guy who wouldn't do what you said. You can support an organization that wants Alaska to secede from the United States. You can be gluttonous on federal pork and then pretend you don't like the stuff. And still, thanks to the miracle of modern political marketing, you might be propelled to within a heartbeat of the presidency. Thank you John McCain! Thank you America!

What's great about McCain, as we noted just the other day, is that he picks running mates first and asks questions later. This country would be a lot more interesting if we had a leader who went on instinct and hunches. Think how that would keep out enemies off balance. You want to create as much uncertainty as possible when dealing with those who hate America.

Among other things, President McCain could disappear for weeks at a time -- to keep the other side guessing. You want Putin to open the morning paper and think: "NOW what?"

--

From the Times: "In Alaska, several state leaders and local officials said they knew of no efforts by the McCain campaign to find out more information about Ms. Palin before the announcement of her selection, Although campaigns are typically discreet when they make inquiries into potential running mates, officials in Alaska said Monday they thought it was peculiar that no one in the state had the slightest hint that Ms. Palin might be under consideration."

Andrew Sullivan: "Do you really believe that Sarah Palin understands the distinctions between Shia and Sunni, has an opinion about the future of Pakistan, has a view of how to exploit rifts within Tehran's leadership, knows about the tricky task of securing loose nuclear weapons? Does anyone even know if she has ever expressed a view on these matters? Here's a bleg: can anyone direct me to any statement she has ever made about foreign policy?"

Whew, thanks for this re-orientation, Joel. I have really been disturbed about Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the presidency to use the very tired cliche. I'm not overly dramatic or anything, but I think it's kind of scary that she could really be president. (I guess it goes without saying that I don't buy the talking point that she has got more experience than Obama).

I feel better after reading this kit. It's definitely a refreshing point of view and I'm gonna run with it.

Chop an onion and some garlic and some fresh ginger and saute in oil
add curry powder black pepper cinnamon cumin coriander and a dash of turmeric
mix well
add lentils
mix well again
throw in a bay leaf
and chopped fresh tomatoes
add water to cover and bring to boil
watch water level as it will decrease rapidly ( lentils are thirsty)
taste after twenty minutes to see if tender
add a little salt
serve
tastes better, reheated the next day

(Regulars who have seen me plug this three times already can skip the link. It's for the inevitable front page alert crowd.)

Dowd called it a romantic comedy, not a sitcom, 'Miss Congeniality' in particular:

http://dowdreport.blogspot.com/2008/08/miss-congeniality.html

Although it is getting closer to a screwball comedy by the minute. Perhaps 'Bringing Up Baby'.

To make another movie allusion, the McCain vetters (or post-vetters as the case may be) are not up there to find new dirt, they are there to "solve problems" the same way Winston Wolfe helped out Jules and Vincent in 'Pulp Fiction'. By burying bodies. And Facebook pages.

I don't know, JA. No one likes a wimp, except the guy that beating up the wimp. Vetting sounds a lot like good old common sense. Sure we want excitement and everything looking like it's alive and doing fine, but I suspect this thing may be on the order of a one night stand. One wants the thrill, but not the baggage. Is that too coarse(?)?

I have a question on the last kit. Perhaps someone can help me with it?

Cassandra, I don't have any suggestions, but if need be, I will come to see you later in the week and make the call with you at my side so you can get through to them. Thursday afternoon or Friday will work for me, just let me know.

Off-kit but worth noting.
In a pique of back-to-school shopping yesterday, we discovered that Target carries the same line of Chinese drummer helmets as those seen on TV during the olympics. Turns out you can use them to protect your noggin while riding a bike too!
The marketing synergy of those clever Chinese.

Slyness, that is so kind of you. My daughter will be here this afternoon, and I'm going to try and get her to do it. I have a ninth grader to help this afternoon, and the daughter is bringing this young person, so hopefully, I can get this done. Thanks a bunch for the offer. You are more than kind to do that. Yet it is a problem that needs fixing. I'm sure I'm not the only one in the state that runs into this difficulty.

With McCain age and health issues on the table, the choice of a Vice-President is very much an issue and the circumstances surrounding that choice are no laughing matter. It is a serious consideration. It just seems to me, McCain did not give his choice that serious consideration. He did the moment thing, and what seemed good for him, and only him. And that still reeks of the one-night stand, doesn't it?

I'm getting worried that Hollywood may actually jump in line behind McCain. He's like a one man story-pitching team. Can anyone imagine what the winter will be like if he wins? I'm sure in the remaining 49 states McCain can find and nominate government officials who hide most of their experience in track and/or bathing suits.

And for the long-term posts, like the Supreme Court, we can mix in a little Hollywood, and have the nomination decided by timing Mr. Hasselhof and Ms. Anderson swimming across the Potomac.

Although, of course, the downside might be that in the nuclear winter of our discontent, we all will have to wear snowsuits.

I just want you all to know I type this kneeling at my desk cause my chair is otherwise occupied. It is killing my knees and my lower back. If I can go off today's kit topic and back on to yesterdays, so can you...dangit

Cassandra - sorry, I'm not a lawyer or a AT&T customer service rep. Is there anything on your monthly AT&T invoice that shows a customer service email address?

For those that didn't see the CNN video that Mudge, cassandra and I were talking about - Campbell Brown and GOP/McCain rep Tucker Bounds discissing Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience - here's some video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRhN5Et9QQ

Caution: If your chair has seatbelts, I recommend using them, as the spinning gets pretty intense here. Also, don't watch this while drinking anything.

Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell
Season with salt and pepper
Combine the grated cheeses and aioli together
Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned

Cassandra: I'm very familiar with ring-around-the-telephone company. When AT&T took over Bell South and Cingular I expected improvement, but got runarounds. When I cancelled my Cingular account almost two years ago I had a ten-cent credit. I have spent hours on the phone and on line with automated messages from AT&T, AT&T Mobility, Bell South, etc. to tell them to stop sending monthly statements telling me I have a ten-cent credit. Finally I just gave up. They continue to send me a monthly credit statement and I just toss it in the garbage at the post office. Their inefficiency and lack of communication skills is astounding.

When I bought a new AT&T multi-function phone I called the AT&T number provided to find out about bells and whistles such as caller ID. They couldn't help me - and nobody was smart enough to tell me I had to call my old Bell South number to get the info. When I finally got someone in the know, I discovered my base monthly bill would climb to $129 + taxes with all the bells and whistles, so I said "forget it." Sorry you are having problems, I know the frustration.

In your honor, I'll share a couple of paragraphs from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Eat, Pray, Love" which I was reading this weekend:

* * *
Giovanni gave me the name of a pizzeria in Naples that I had to try, because, he informed me, it sold the best pizza in Naples. I found this a wildly exciting prospect, given that the best pizza in Italy is from Naples, and the best pizza in the world is from Italy, which means that this pizzeria must offer...I'm almost too superstitious to say it...the best pizza in the world? Giovanni passed along the name of the place with such seriouness and intensity, I almost felt I was being inducted into a secret society. He pressed the address into the palm of my hand and said, in gravest confidence, "Please go to this pizzeria. Order the margherita pizza with double mozzarella. If you do not eat this pizza when you are in Naples, please lie to me later and tell me that you did."

So Sofie and I have come to Pizzeria da Michele, and these pies we have just ordered--one for each of us--are making us lose our minds. I love my pizza so much,in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me, in return. I am having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair. Meanwhile, Sofie is practically in tears over hers, she's having a metaphysical crisis about it, she's begging me, "Why do they even bother trying to make pizza in Stockholm? Why do we even bother eating food at all in Stockholm?"

Should I ever be plucked form obscurity to be a VP candidate I hope this small town mayor's A-blog comments about national defense and foreign policy will still be available. Wouldn't want anyone to think that because I'm from the middle of nowhere I don't know anything. That being ranted, I still don't think Palin was a good choice.

If I were looking for someone to pull off exceptional success out of a questionable background I'd look to Harry Truman as an example. Give me proof of intellectual curiosity, and capacity, and I'll let it trump a dullard's vast experience every time.

At some point, I think we (as a nation) are going to have to get a bit serious about the Palin thing and confront the (entirely reasonable, in my view) question about whether McCain AND his staff have been actually lying about how well they vetted Palin. I've never for one moment thought they ever did very much at all-- and so we're being fed what amounts not so much as "spin," but an actual falsehood. I just can't believe (a) McCain knew and said OK anyway (if he really did, he's further 'round the bend than I ever thought), and (b) that his staff didn't put their foot down like they did with the Lieberman option.

So far it's all been a big joke. But at it's heart its is about either a big lie, or a big act of irresponsible and reckless decision-making. I don't much care which.

Not an actual "one night stand", but the resemblance of one. The characteristics of a "one night stand", the unknown, which makes for thrilling in some cases, yet also makes for reckless and totally irresponsible.

If this was an action by the Dems, everyone and his/her mother would be all over it in a heartbeat. I think there is a deeper sense here though. For those still trying to hold this up as a bold and courageous thought and action, it has to speak to the fact that no matter how lacking the leadership, we (some) the people will hold you up in this leadership because we own the country. It only matters if it's the other guy.

Although Joel is being satirical in calling the selection of Palin “Inspiring,” many are doing so without irony.

For, to many, there is something suggestive of Natural Virtue in Palin. She might not have those fancy degrees or spent a lot of time fussing over international affairs. But that doesn’t much matter because everyone knows that all is required to put things right in the world is good old fashioned Horse Sense.

And if this means tolerating a certain number of messy Personal Issues, well, that's all just part of Keepin' It Real.

And, to a certain type of mind, this is a very compelling twist on the Cinderella fantasy.

Amy Goodman, host of the TV/radio program Democracy Now!, has been arrested in St Paul for "suspicion of trying to incite a riot" when protesting to police the arrest of two radio producers charged with "suspicion of rioting."

Palin's lawyer is trying to get the commission's troopergate report released after the election, instead of 4 days before. Additionally, he's claiming the issue should be determined by a board appointed by the governor instead of by, well, people not appointed by the governor.

So many gazpacho recipes, so little time... Here's mine, Mudge, extremely close to Joy of Cooking. Sorry about the all caps, I wrote this in the early 90s and don't know what I was thinking.. that it's a very important recipe? But first I want to stand up for America: some of our modifications of old world recipes are BETTER. American gazpacho is better than Spanish, and American pizza is better than Italian. I'm sorry, but it's true. There, I said it.

This gazpacho recipe is really good, and like some others have said, the stock or bouillon makes it truly delicious. I find the parsley mandatory and I shy away from other more overpowering herbs although arugala would be very good. I am a hot pepper lover but hold back for this recipe. Too much green bell pepper can overpower it also, but the right amount is good to add. Red wine vinegar can be a substitute for the citrus juice. It is curiously delicious with a cold beer to accompany it.

Any moment now, I fully anticipate that Republican Governor of Washington Gary Locke to discuss the troubled history of China and Japan.

Any moment now, I eagerly await Democratic Governor of New York David Paterson to expound on the troubles in Darfur and solutions to the genocide there.

Any moment now, I look forward to Democratic Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick giving us his take on the current situation in Iraq, and again reminding us of the differnce between the four ethnic/religious factions there--when he's not too busy writing speech lines for Obama to borrow.

Perhaps Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius would like to talk about the fairly recent economic progress in Ireland?

Of course, Senator Obama could always explain his executive management experience to date, other than his campaign operation. *w*

And here's my latest conspiracy theory I came up with. As always, I don't necessarily believe 'em, I just collect 'em. Do not try this at home:

I'm starting to wonder if all this is some Rovian style conspiracy to pull
in a last minute vp choice (after Palin goes belly up - a pre-manufactured
Eagleton). This would have two results:
Vetting fatigue. Media and public tired of deep examinations of veep
candidates twice in a row.
Surprise. All preparations by Dems for debates and spin control would have
to be changed at the last minute.

I came up with this after pondering why Palin herself did not seem to question her own selection.

cassandra, I know that you didn't mean a literal "one night stand," I was just setting up for the Heavy Vetting line.

Jumper, here's a few more zesty conspiracy thories to try on:

McCain selects female far-right conservative for his running-mate and sticks with her through the election, then gets to blame his failure to win in November on this fact.

Karl Rove and Dick Cheney are whipping up a series of hurricanes in order to make sure that President Bush has good reasons to not attend the RNC (other than the McCain campaign not wanting him within 500 miles of the place), and to be able to manipulate the price of oil and gasoline as necessary. If it looks like McCain will win, they'll lower gasoline prices and say, "Hey, don'cha want 4 more years of *this*?', and if it looks like McCain will lose, they'll let the oil compaines have one more year of record profits.

Cassandra - I think it comes from lots of reasons. For many, of course, economic realities limit education and professional opportunities, which causes resentment. Further, there certainly is snobbery in the world that adds to this resentment.

All of which, naturally, makes people resent the notion that they aren't as good as someone else, and encourages them to elevate virtues available to all.

And this is fine, as far as it goes. The virtue of the Common Man (and Woman) is an honorable tradition.

I just get annoyed when it goes too far. For example, when I choose a surgeon to operate on my child I don't care if the surgeon only got that way because his family is rich or if he Worked His Way Up.

I don't care if the surgeon has the Common Touch or if he is a hopeless snob who looks down on me because I don't know a thorassic flange from a bicardial cuspid.

All I care about is if he knows what the heck he is doing when he sticks sharp objects into my child's open body.

And I feel the same way about someone who might end up running the country.

And that, RD, is the way it should be. That is the case for thinking, not feeling, but clear, cold, logic. Yet we know that there are too many variables attached to that thinking, too many human traits that throw that thinking one mighty curve ball. And that has always been a problem for our country. It still is.

In order to win, perhaps the feeling is that I will lift up those that feel marginal or left out. I will go back to the earlier arguments wherein satisfaction was brought into play by using that man has no control of, that speak to a deeper issue, yet it doesn't really speak, not out loud. I will let them know that I hear them loud and clear, and that it doesn't matter about education or even economics, this is yours, and it will always be yours to rule.

Couple of things:
1. Yes, there are elements of the Palin story that remind you of "Married With Children", and others that remind you of "Raising Arizona". But more than anything else, it reminds me of the Jerry Springer show.
2. Hey, Onmi, got any recipes for moose stew?

Just to briefly recap Weingarten's chat: he says he thinks Palin will step down within about 10 days or less to spend more time with her family, which actually might in fact be a legitimate explanation, for once.

Cap'n Chucky,
Welcome aboard! Unlike most Springer (really Maury - update your cultural references) episodes, we weren't questioning who the daddy was; we were wondering who the mother was. For now that seems to pretty well-defined, but anything is possible.

Saw Amy Goodman on the street yesterday. Methinks she needs to learn the difference between journalist and protester-look like a duck, fly around with ducks and all that. (I listened to Democracy Now just about every day in Tampa, but frankly, Goodman creeps me out. While she didn't pick up any bricks she certainly seemed to be very cozy with the self proclaimed anarchists and I doubt the typical St. Paul police officer recognized her famous journalisticness as the Frostfam did.)

The anarchists are romantics, something I didn't understand when I was young. Now I know that in true anarchy, the local sheriffs will take over in short order, and run things like Roy Bean, but also sort of like the mafia, with civil rights and the Bill of Rights not enforced at all.

If you took some moose meat and made jerky out of it, and chopped the jerky up into small bits and then mixed it with some uncooked rolled oats and grains, fruits, nuts, etc., and seasoned with with a chunk of salt from a caribou saltlick, would you have a granola-like breakfast cereal called Mooselix?

Thanks, Mudge. That works. Or "affinity for whimsy". Or "lack of attention to detail". Or "moosetakes".

Not to be confused with "moosesteak", which connote both a cut of meat and a large, juicy, antlered tomato.

Thanks for the lovely picture, Joel, and please thank Paris. When I was little I always figured those visible rays of sunlight were God peeking through the clouds. Made me understand sun worship.

I'm relieved to know the election won't be about issues. There are a lot of issues and they are all bad and if we have to keep thinking about them until November it might make my head hurt. On the other hand, if we're talking candidate personalities I'm with Obama all the way, so I guess my vote isn't affected.

This Palin stuff makes my head spin. This choice my McC is so wrong in so many ways. The young kockey player even wears a mullet. Bristol, please, please, do not marry that stupid boy.

The mousse recipe are too funny, but that stuff goes in your hair you know.
A traumatic meal of my childhood was a moose heart, kidney and tongue stew. Bleah, the chunks containing the big arteries gave me the willies. But it was at a friend's house so I, the inhibited kid, ate it all. His parents were from an area where non-native subsistance hunting (a.k.a. as poaching) was common and they loved the stuff.
Moose meat hardens as the moose gets older, like beef and unlike deer or caribou which stay more-or-less tender at all age. Hence the large quantity of ground moose one gets when a big old bull get his rack mounted on the wall of the man-cave. If one is hunting moose, the love of moose burger is a must.

Palin Scrubbing Turns Up a Car Wash
By Matthew Mosk
ST. PAUL -- In addition to being a mayor and raising four children, Sarah Palin found time for another venture in her Wasilla years -- she was part-owner of an Anchorage car wash.

Palin and husband Todd each held a 20 percent stake in Anchorage Car Wash LLC, according to state corporation records filed in 2004.

The venture was not entirely smooth sailing, though. State records show the business ran into trouble with Alaska's division of corporations business and professional licensing after Palin became governor of the state in 2006.

A Feb. 11, 2007 letter to the governor's business partner advises that the car wash had "not filed its biennial report and/or paid its biennial fees," which were more than a year overdue.

The warning letter was written on state letterhead, which carried Palin's name at the top, next to the state seal.

On April 3, 2007, the state went further and issued a "certificate of involuntary dissolution" because of the car wash's failure to file its report and pay state licensing fees.

This was all in the province of rumor for so long, it may have been overlooked when the facts actually finally emerged regarding the Bush family and ties to Nazism which lasted even after the beginning of WWII.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar

Thanks for the link, Jumper. But it was published in 2004, and didn't help the re-election any of "little boy."

It's amazing how the "law and order" Republicans can so flagrantly violate one law after another, since clearly that "law and order" would *never* apply to them, dontcha know.

I remember reading that as John Mitchell was on his way to prison for his activities related to Watergate, some guy yelled at him: "Whaddya think about law and order *now*, John?" John reportedly did not answer.

Omni I went out to dinner last week, it was a winemakers dinner - two vineyards plus a chef all who spoke about each of the four courses and the wines (two of each type for each course). The main entree was Bison Steak - fantastic, perhaps you could start a new thread of recipes.

Please Contribute Your Favorite Recipe. I need a good Moose recipe for Inaguration Day. Will you send us some more of your moose recipes to add? We only have a few and we need for you to mail us as many as you can.

Moose antler should not be marinated. It should be dried in a slow oven, then powdered and used as an aphrodisiac. Snorting moose antler (known as "dry snow") gives the most immediate hit. However, sneaking a teaspoon of antler powder into your date's drink can produce results within one hour.

dmd, Mr. T has discovered bison burgers and now wishes to have them all the time instead of beef burgers. So what if ground bison is $6.99 a pound? Earth Fare also carries bison t-bones but I haven't had the courage or the cash to buy any.

Ah, you all are putting me in the mood for Caribous Sousees aux pommes frites.

Frostbitten, you may be a small town mayor, but you've probably travelled more and lived in more places than the average American (who is already darn mobile).

If anybody challenges your inexperience, all you have to do is pull out the fighter pilot swagger and do a John Wayne impression. They'll back off.

Bill Clinton went into office without foreign policy experience and after 8 years it was his favorite part of the job. However, he at least had lived in England and presumably seen some of Europe when he wasn't too busy not inhaling. His experience was no worse than the average American, and probably somewhat better.

Scotty mentioned Jerry Reed's death a little earlier. A few days ago he also asked a question about favorite finger-style guitarists. Reed was a superb one. Here's a clip of him and Chet Atkins (no slouch himself) having a lot of fun playing one of Reed's tunes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE

They both use thumb picks, but that's still considered finger picking. One of the (many) things I like about both Mark Knopfler and Lindsay Buckingham is that they don't even use the thumb pick all that much. Just their fingers and their guitars.

Want to drift slightly back on topic to correct something Loomis mentioned in the previous Boodle. Gary Locke was the Democratic governor of Washington state - 1997-2005. He probably could give a dissertation on China/Japan relations - he's a very smart guy, of Chinese descent himself, and both those countries are important trade partners for the state. He's married to the comely journalist Mona Lee Locke (of Chinese descent herself). He's from my part of Seattle, represented my district for many years. I was hopeful he would have been Gore's or Kerry's VP pick. Here he is on Almost Live, playing with the local band, The Presidents of the United States of America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNav3URt9_0

Christine Gregoire is our governor now - a very smart, former attorney general and tough cookie. She sued the cigarette companies awhile back. She'd be a good VP, too (Democratic).

Here's a pretty good MPR summary of today's protests-with tear gas bits which happened about half an hour ago
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/02/rnc_day2/

The police are starting to get really anal about any deviation from the protester's pre-approved activities and march routes. Frostdottir took many pictures and I've posted a few at http://www.loftyideal.blogspot.com/
Is it really a protest march if you get a permit and follow it to the letter?

Mr. F wanted me to share that there was to be a "rolling protest" today with 18 wheelers and other vehicles. After much concern about how to police such a thing one vehicle showed.

Watching the Reagan tribute.
Am I the only one who finds it somewhat disturbing that they keep using vaiations of the phrase "and he never forgot who he was?" I think that's a little disrespectful and inappropriate.

Oh, look - it's Fred Thompson.
He's pretty animated, and a tad angry.
Or - is that just an act?
When you come right down to it - does it matter as long as it's convincing?

Good line about being the only nominee who knows how to field dress a moose (with the possible exception of Teddy Roosevelt).

CAPITALISTS UNITE! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR NUANCE, SUBTLETY, AND CREDIBILITY!

Wilbrodog and the gnome got me curious and I found this wonderful article on Haiku. I always wanted a set of encyclopedia. My dream has come true, in spades, with Wikipedia. It's an under-recognized marvel of our time. And, man, have I been doing it wrong!

Thanks, Jumper. My guess is that most people didn't know. I didn't know until just a few years ago. I knew him from "When You're Hot, You're Hot" and the couple of his songs that Elvis did and, of course, "Smokey and the Bandit." Hearing his guitar playing was a very pleasant revelation.

bc, loved "heavy vetting." But, sorry, the Rs aren't into the passion of Christ, they want retribution for wickedness, Old Testament style. Maybe this is code for going back to Vietnam. This time we win!

Interesting New Republic Q&A about politics, and a little basketball, with Charles Barkley
http://tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=cc3afe48-025f-41cc-a6dd-83890abf9b64

Sir Charles "...I do not use words like liberal or conservative. You can ask me a question and I will give you an answer. Those are words rich people on television use to divide and conquer. I am pro-choice. And if gay people want to get married, that is none of my business. God bless them."

Ok, this always frosts me. For a moment I'll agree with Joe that we are "winning" but when pols then use that as a set up for soldiers coming home "in honor" it makes me wonder-would you not honor our soldiers in defeat? Are they only beloved, and heroes, if we win?

I'm sorta fascinated by this claim that McCain will "clean up Washington," and that both McC and Palin are "reformers," and that Palin cleaned up Alaskan corruption, etc. What seems missing is acknowledgment that...um...the Washington they want to fix was screwed up by Republicans, and that the corruption Palin fought was was Republicans.

The whole "maverick" thing hints at the notion that what needs to be fixed are Republicans. But they always leave that small detail off.

I'm a little confused that they would choose to spend so much time talking up the McCain bio. Isn't that the one thing he has going for him, that everyone not in a coma already knows about his POW days?

Thanks for the Boodle. Y'all are my eyes and ears at the Dress-a-Moose Convention, since I can't stand to watch or listen to the thing. You have my heartfelt and enormoose gratitude. Loved the joke, omni.

Joe Lieberman must want a friend; he doesn't have any except for McCain and see where that's got him so far. What's he going to be, Moose of State?

A group I sing with recorded several lovely Renaissance motets this evening. It was hard work but I feel as if I accomplished something today. It was moosick to soothe the convention-addled beast. And now to sleep.

Bouncing around the videos of Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler & others caused me to put together a pretty good-sized list of links that I was going to present here, but I caught myself. Obviously, you can all point & click on links to links to other links just as well as I.

But DO NOT miss Tommy Emmanuel along the journey. This one is kind of fun - he's playing around for several minutes, starting, but never quite getting into, "Classical Gas". Many styles represented along the way.

Goodmorning! in order to independently assess the current political events as broadcast by mainstream media, I went out and used my $40 coupon and purchased a DTV converter from Radio Shack yesterday. I like that store. It's one place I can go where even the cashiers are knowledgable about the products they sell. I asked if I could touch one, and the clerk put one in my hand and explained everything about it in a minute. two TVs? Nope, a splitter doesn't work, gotta buy 2.

And 2 was all they had for sale. I only wanted 1, but they are going like hotcakes.

So I brought it home and set it up. Ms Lion says the picture looks nice and sharp. I was surprised to learn that the RNC was being broadcast over PBS. (Is that right?) I fell asleep before the show started. Oh well.

A lot of moose jokes and tidbits. The eating of that meat doesn't sound good, but, hey, it could actually be what we're eating anyway, labeled as something else?

Mudge, Slyness, Martooni, Scotty, a good, good, morning to you, and to all.*waving*

Today is Wednesday, the busy day, and I have nothing on the menu for the Bible study today. I will have to grab something at the fast food place. The after-school program at the church will begin on the 18th of this month, much work to do there. I'm hoping I can get it together.

Prayers have been said and blessings asked for, here, and for all.

The weather here is suppose to be chilly this morning, but supposedly turning out to be hot later. Of course, we are bracing for whatever Hanna may become. I think we can "weather" these storms if the power doesn't go out. If the power goes out, all bets are off.

Have a great day, folks. Mudge, I just could not read that opinion page this morning. Too much of the same stuff with a different spin on it. My dad thinks John McCain's choice of VP indicates he may be in the beginnings of Alz(?) disease. Not a good situation for anyone, especially a candidate for President.

From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/unsurprised.html

Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Unsurprised

"No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says"-Washington Post

Senior McCain officials described themselves as "unsurprised" today as huge storms of locusts flew from Wasilla, Alaska and descended upon McCain campaign headquarters. "Locusts were vetted. Locusts were vetted in the vet" said one campaign official, who spoke without attribution out of concern that he would be devoured by a verminous flying cloud. The campaign also said that they were nonplussed by reports that the rivers were running black with ashes, that family pets were begin to speak in human voices, declaiming "Release Sarah!", and that a huge spreading stain was beginning to blot out the Northern sun. "Vetted", said the campaign.

"There are exciting new studies that show that locusts can be used as a source of biodegradable fuel" said Newt Gingrich, as he hunkered down to avoid the black marble obelisks falling from the sky around him. "Palin, if she can be said to have played a role in bringing about these new biofuel resources, should be praised for her innovative role in the solution to our future energy demands".

"These events firmly demonstrate Palin's deep connection to traditional modes of traditional expression, in traditional forms, traditionally." said William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. "Experience, in the face of these more traditional events, is overrated..." continued Kristol, before ending the interview to wrap himself head-to-toe in mosquito netting and swallowing a bitter tasting anti-malarial drug, the taste of which, as his lips contorted, he noted to be "surprisingly refreshing."

Palin's schedule in the upcoming days of the Republican National Convention has been cut short due to, as one McCain communications aide reported, a desire not to "let the magic out of the bottle too quickly." "Sarah is a precious resource, who each moment brings a new vitality and energy to every worker on the campaign" said the aide, while fighting to remove the nest of serpents which had suddenly materialized on the floor beneath him, and were now slowly ascending his legs. "Do these bite, or just slink?" asked the aide, who spoke on conditions of anonymity so as not to provoke or otherwise alienate the reptiles.

Meanwhile, as the heavens darkened, the seas began to boil, and a deep voice tore through the clouds shouting, in stentorian tones to one and all: "It was a Mistake!", campaign offices described themselves as "unperturbed". "Serpents materializing, house pets suddenly called to vocal advocacy, Celestial callings to revise and repent...Vetted" said the spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was turning into a pillar of salt. "Everything that was vetted was vetted in the vet."

Cite:
Head of State:
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/unsurprised.html

I see Cassandra, byoolin and DandyLion are already up; I 'spect Scotty and Brag will be along shortly.

Cassandra, I had virtually the same reaction looking at the op-ed choices, as well as the convention stories: overload, with a tinge of revulsion. And I sure as shootin' didn't even want to go anywhere near the WIll and Novak columns about Palin, nor the Gerson column about McCain. I have no idea who Mike Doogan is, but didn't want to find out his views on Palin and Alaska.

I admit to being a bit perplexed on the (I hope momentary) inability to determine if Palin is/was a Buchanan stalwart or not. He says yes, her people say no. Ought to be able to figure out. Ditto the separatist thing.

Hanna's storm track appears to be slipping northward, with landfall somewhere around Myrtle Beach, then wandering up the coast inland this way. Calling for about 4 inches of rain here, but everything is still iffy in the extreme.

Good morning, you all. Today is my husband and my 48th anniversary and we will be celebrating for dinner in L'Auberge Chez François and then on to Wolf Trap for La Miserables. This will be our second time to see that great play with it's fantastic ending.

Forty-eight years, fancy that....:-)

I made the usual mistake of reading George Wills, don't bother, you all, I don't believe he had anything to say, nor did he KNOW he didn't have anything to say.

Morning, all! I went to bed at a reasonable hour and therefore have nothing to add. Though a Republican, Mr. T had the race on last night. I do appreciate the play-by-play of the R convention last night, so I'm not completely in the dark. Lieberman's a total traitor, isn't he? And I voted for him! Oh well.

In keeping with the apparent French theme surrounding Vintage Lady's 48th anniversary celebrations, let us all raise our virtual glasses of champagne in a toast to her and her Similar-Vintage Gentleman.

The International Mega Boodle Porching Hour (IMBPH) will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Buffalo Billiards at 1330 19th Street in NW Washington, DC.

http://www.buffalobilliards.com/dc/

We'll be in the Victorian Room from 5-8 p.m. (at least that's the formal part of the event), with food and drink service available.

More news to follow, including a regular BPH on Friday evening at the normal BPH location (McCormack & Schmicks, 1652 K Street downtown, a few blocks from the Mega BPH location, and the Washington Post's main offices), guests (if any actually accept our invitations), other activities (if anyone isn't too full of food and drink), and clothing options (bc is considering the 'all leather, but as little as possible' option).

Sen. Lieberman's speech was a jaw dropper. I hope that the electorate will come to its collective senses and see the incongruencies between the issues dear to the Senator's heart and those he seems to be embracing on the other side. I also anticipate athat Gov. Palin will have a hard time of it, particularly in the debate phase of the campaign. Doogan's column is worth reading. He makes the point that Gov. Palin is nice, but certainly not up to the challenges of the Presidency, should her running mate take the big left turn into the pits and leave her in charge.

g'morning boodle. Slow start this morning, I think the 44 showing on the thermometer could have something to do with that.

mostly-no need to worry, I had to get out of St. Paul to go back to work in our fair city. The dott is out and about taking pictures, when not at work herself, but things just aren't as violent or chaotic as they appear in most accounts.

It looks like almost all of the RNC protest confrontations with police, and arrests, have come after property damage (the anarchists on Monday) or deviating from the approved march route (last night when the poverty marchers tried to get beyond the barricades at the Xcel Center and continue marching back downtown from the scheduled end of the march, after dark).

I care as little about the election results as I do about the end of the universe. For those of you who think that whomever is President (remember France has a porn star as a member of parliament) makes a bit of difference in this day and age probably ought to go back and listen to some of the rhetoric spouted during '68 and '72, . . . However, I do take issue with the comment regarding the dates of marriage and birth of the future VP's son. Ever heard of a premature baby?